[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12362]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             WOMEN SENATORS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, the night before last, I went home and my 
wife told me: You have to be home tomorrow--that is, Wednesday night--
because at 9 o'clock all nine Democratic women Senators will be on 
``Larry King.'' I did get home in time to watch the nine Democratic 
women Senators on ``Larry King.''
  When I came to the House of Representatives, there were 22 women in 
that huge 435-Member body. Now I think there are 62 or something like 
that. I don't know the exact number.
  I was elected to the Senate in 1986 with Barbara Mikulski. As 
indicated last night, she is the dean of the Senate women. She is 
certainly the dean of those nine Democratic Senators there.
  Having experienced the Senate, a body of 100, with hardly any women, 
I know how much better the Senate is because of having women in the 
Senate. It has improved the Senate. It has improved our country.
  I was so proud of those nine women last night, proud of what our 
country has done and what it has come to. These women have not made the 
Senate better simply because they work on issues relating to women. 
That has only been part of their talent. They have worked on wide-
ranging issues. Senator Mikulski, for example, spent tremendous time on 
health. The National Institutes of Health are located in her State. 
Senator Feinstein, for example, was the ranking member and chair of the 
Military Construction Subcommittee responsible for billions of dollars. 
She has done an outstanding job.
  I am not going to run through the talents of all nine, but they have 
made the Senate a much better place. Even though I, as the Democratic 
leader, was so very proud of those nine women last night, it didn't 
matter what their party affiliation was. This was good for the country 
to see these women there on national television, talking about issues 
they believe are important. The Senate will get better with more women. 
It is a unique body, and we are all very fortunate to be able to serve 
in the Senate. But just speaking from personal experience, the Senate, 
I repeat, is a much better place because of the women who serve in the 
Senate.

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